Exposure to the Real World

The Cedarville University Department of Art and Design has recently established an American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) student chapter. The program offers participating students access to all of AIGA’s professional benefits, employment and internship opportunities and the chance to connect with professionals in the area.

AIGA is the oldest and largest professional membership organization for design, providing opportunities for professional development and collaboration. The organization has also created ethical business standards for the industry.

Daniel Sternsher, M.Ed., assistant professor of graphic design, is the faculty advisor for the Cedarville student group, and senior graphic design student Laura Dreyer serves as president. The group is associated with the Cincinnati chapter of AIGA and will participate in various Cincinnati chapter events throughout the year.

In the spring of 2011, Professor Sternsher and four senior students attended the AIGA Cincinnati Chapter Senior Portfolio Review at the Art Academy in Cincinnati. There were seniors from more than ten schools and reviewers were industry professionals and faculty from Dayton, Cincinnati, Columbus and Kentucky. Laura Dreyer was awarded $500 for Best Illustration Portfolio.

AIGA isn’t the only exposure Cedarville art students have to the real world. Last summer, graphic design and marketing student Andrew Cody ’10 had an internship at Chute Gerdeman, a retail design firm in Columbus. He worked alongside Timothy Frame, assistant professor of graphic design. Frame also designed the website for Hammond Harkins Galleries, and graphic design student Adam Putinski ’10 did the programming.

Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University attracts 3,200 undergraduate, graduate, and online students to more than 100 areas of study. Cedarville is a Christ-centered learning community recognized nationally for rigorous academic programs, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings, and leading student satisfaction ratings. Visit the University online at www.cedarville.edu.